Automatic train brake



March 11, 1924, 1,486,441

J. J. LEVESQUE AUTOMAT I C TRAIN BRAKE Filed July 26 1923 3 wvenf o1,

f .s 6,2772 J'Levesgzze Patented Mar. ll, 1924.

JOSEPH J. I LEVESQ'U'E,

OF LEWISTON, MAINE.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN BRAKE.

Application filed July 26, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH J. Lnvnsoun, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Lewiston, in the county of Androscoggin and Stateof Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in anAutomatic Train Brake, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to means for stopping arailroad train or thelike, in case the same becomes derailed or leaves the track through anycause.

The primry object of the present invention is the provision of a noveldevice incorporated with the truck of a railroad car for automaticallybleeding the air train pipe, when the train leaves the track for anycause, thereby autoniactically setting the brake and bringing the trainto a halt.

Another prime object of the invention is the provision of novel meansfor incorporating the automatic device with a train truck, so that thesame will be instantly operated when the truck leaves the rails.

A still further prime object of the invention is to provide an automatictrain stop of the above character, which will be durable and efficientin use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one whichcan be placed upon the market and incorporated with a railroad car at asmall cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which drawings: Figure 1 is a transversesection through a railroad car showing the improved automatic brakeapplying device incorporated therewith.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the connecting arms foroperating the connecting rod utilized for opening the train pipe when acar truck leaves the rails, and

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the valve handle pusher.

Refering to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencescharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the letter A generally indicates a railroad car and B the automaticmeans for applying the train brake, in case the car becomes derailedthrough any reason. The

Serial No. 654,003.

car A can be considered of any character now commonly in use, and asshown consists of the body 5 including the floor 6, the supportingbolster 7 and the truck 8. The truck carries any preferred type ofjournal boxes 9 for supporting the car axle 10, to which are secured thecar wheels 11, which age adapted to engage the railroad car track 1.

The air brake line or train pipe 16 extends longitudinally of the trainand operates the brakes (not shown) in the usual way, when air isreleased therefrom. As shown the air train pipe 15 supports a dependingvalve structure 16 and this valve strcture is provided with oppositelyextending operating handles 17 and 18 and it is obivous that when thesevalve handles are rotated that the valve will be opened to permit thebleeding of the train pipe 15 and thus bring about the automatic settingof the brake.

The means B for bringing about the automatic setting of the brake by thebleeding of the air train pipe 15 comprises a pair of axle operatingmembers 20 and 21, which engage the axle adjacent to the oppositeterminals thereof. These axle engaging members 20 comprise a standard2:2 and a depending loop head 23, which rotatably and loosely receivesthe axle 10. The upper end of the post 22 can be reduced to provide athreaded stud 24, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The threaded studs 24 are inserted through suitable openingsformed in the outer terminals of oppositely directed crossed operatingconnecting rods 25 and 26 and the studs are held in place by suitableretaining nuts or the like 27. The opposite terminals of the connectingrods 25 and 26 from the terminals which are connected with the axleengaging members 20 and 21 are pivotally connected as at 28 to dependingsupporting posts 2-9 which can be secured to the car body 5 in anypreferred way. The connecting rods 25 and 26 at a point intermediatetheir ends carry depending valve handle pushers 30 each of whichincludes a body 31 having the lower end thereof provided with a slot 32for receiving the valve handles 17 and 18. The upper ends of the bodies31 are provided with threaded studs 33 which are extended through theirrespective connecting rods 25 and 26 and these studs can be held inplace by suitable nuts or the like 3a.

In order to normally maintain the axle operating members 20 and 21 intheir raised position, each of the connecting rods 25 and 26 havesecured thereto contractile coil springs 35, which are in turn connectedto suitable hooks 36 carried by the" depending supporting members 29. Inuse of the improved device, it can be seen that as soon as the carwheels leave the track through any cause, the axle will tend to movefrom out of its usual position, which will instantly operate the rods 21and 20. These members 20 and 21 will in turn impart their movement tothe connecting rods 25 and 26, and operate the valve-handles l7 and 19and thus open the train pipe and permit the bleeding thereof. This ofcourse will bring about the setting of the brake.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided anexceptionally simple and compact arranged device for automaticallysetting the brakes of a train, when a train or any portion thereofleaves the rails through any cause.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or thescope of this invention What I claim as new is:

1. In an automatic train brake, the combination with a railroad trainincluding a car body, a car truck including an axle and car wheels, andan-air train pipe extending longitudinally of the car having a dependingair bleeding valve connected therewith including an ope-rating handle,of a brake applying device comprising depending arms receiving the axle,crossed connecting rods extending transversely across the entire widthof the body pivotally secured at one of their ends to the car body andconnected at their opposite ends to the axle engaging arms and meansconnecting the connecting rods with the handle of the valve.

2. In an. automatic train brake, a railroad car including a body, atruck having a rotatable axle and car wheels, a longitudinally extendingair train pipe carried by the body having a depending bleed valveconnected therewith, operating handles for the valve, 01"- a brakeapplying device comprising a pair of depending arms, loops formed on thelower ends of the arms for receiving the axle, diagonally extendingcross connecting rods having their outer terminals secured to the arms,means pivotally securing the inner terminals of the connecting rods tothe car body, valve handle pushers secured to the connecting rods at apoint intermediate their ends, and engaging said valve handles, and

resilient means for normally holding the connecting rods in a raisedposition.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH J. LEVESQUE. Witnesses FERNAND DnsrINs, Hnoron F. RICHARD.

